Based on Trouba's comments post-trade, I really don't think his greedy reputation is deserved.
It sounds like he genuinely just wants to be somewhere that will give both him and his spouse the opportunity to be successful.
Not saying that he will take a discount, but I'd be surprised if he comes here looking for something out to lunch like 10.5M or if contract negotiations turn out to be a sticking point as they were scapegoated to of been in Winnipeg.
The guy seems to just want to be able to set up an idyllic and stable life for his family. Let's facilitate that.
I agree with most of this but I do think he will come out looking for something like the 10.5 you mentioned. I just think he will settle for closer to 8.5 or 9 which is a bit rich for my blood, even with the new TV deal and cap set to rise pretty steadily moving forward, but that's the price for a young guy who can be our cornerstone RD for many years to come with our cupboard being completely devoid of someone with his particular skill-set. We have a lot of promising young D prospects, but nothing like him. He would fit in very nicely with whoever develops out of current crop (or what's left of it post draft/trades) and for that we will have to pay. Of course the main boards will ridicule anything north of 8 and express elation at us signing the contract while being ecstatic they didn't, but he's a real need for us and we won't get many chances, if any, to land a guy his age with his skill set and potential. He fits into this nicely.
I also believe it's more about the lifestyle, location, and genuinely his wife's career and her own desires to live elsewhere. She studied in Australia and Florida I believe? Obviously NYC doesn't provide THAT atmosphere but it's clear they both care about where they live and NYC is NYC, it will always attract a lot of people and provides ample opportunities. Someone else touched on it, I forget who and too lazy to go see, but they were spot on. The amount of connections and opportunities for players' wives/gfs/close family is HUGE in NYC. That I know for a fact. It's not openly discussed and it's never any part of a deal or anything, but they all know it and it's made pretty clear. You play for Dolan, you play at MSG, you are set for everything. His wife will get a gig at the top hospital of her choice and the chance to be mentored by some of the best in the world depending on her field. Real estate, restaurants, shopping, travel in the Summer months etc etc. They get all of that and so much more, all while being appreciated when we're doing well but not overwhelmed by media or fans like in Toronto or Montreal for example, and can be largely ignored when we're not competing allowing for one of the best lifestyles possible for most players. There's a reason so many come to us when other fantastic cities exist close by.
He will want his money though. He knows what he would be for us and our need for him. NYC is expensive. Obviously he's not poor and never will be, but he won't leave millions on the table. So that's the only concern I have. He has some leverage knowing both NJ and NYI would offer a very similar lifestyle in the same location (maybe less overall perks and such, but still) and may be willing to pay more. He loses nothing by finding that out as a UFA. The ball is really in his court. I don't think he so much chose the Rangers as he chose NYC as one of his top destinations. He's here now. It's on us to get him to sign with us and he knows it. As much as every player wants to win and would love to win the cup, it's more important to some than others. He seems to care more about location and lifestyle, at least for now. He definitely has the opportunity to be our top RD on a rebuilding team that can be real good fairly quickly, and that may end up mattering more to him than it currently does, but for now it really just seems to be getting out of Winnipeg and landing somewhere that better fits them, which he just did.
